Donnie Brooks - Songs

ABOUT

Donnie Brooks (February 6, 1936 - February 23, 2007) was a rockabilly/pop singer who became famous during the early 1960s. He is best known for the sweetly romantic pop ballad, "Mission Bell" (1960).

Born John Dee Abohosh in Dallas, Texas and raised in Ventura, California, he began in the late 1950s recording as Johnny Faire and in 1957 released "Bertha Lou," now considered to be a rockabilly classic. Other names under which he recorded on various small record labels included Dick Bush and Johnny Jordan. By 1959, he had signed with Era Records and became known as Donnie Brooks, releasing his first single under that name, "Li'l Sweetheart."

Donnie Brooks debuted nationally in 1960 with the William Michael/Jesse Hodges-penned "Mission Bell," a Top 10 hit with backing vocals provided by The Blossoms which soon after went gold. This smash was followed later that year by the similarly-styled "Doll House," his second and final song to make the Top 40. His other hits, which continued through 1961, also include the upbeat "Memphis" (1961, not to be confused with the same-named Chuck Berry classic).

In the 1970s, Donnie Brooks began producing and appearing in oldies revival tours, and over the years, he continued to perform actively until he was forced to retire after being seriously injured in an auto accident in 2003. He was inducted that year into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

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SONGS

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Donnie Brooks

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